the Alamo Bowl, replacing the departed Scott Frost. 2016 was Mark Helfrich's last as head coach. Oregon posted a 4–8 record, capped with losing to rival Oregon State in the season finale. OSU beat the Ducks 34–24, ending Oregon's eight game win streak versus their in-state rival. Other defeats came versus the University of Washington, a 70–21 loss, a 51–33 loss to Washington State University and a 45–20 loss to the USC Trojans. The 4 wins was the lowest total in the program since 1991. Helfrich was terminated as head coach November 29, 2016. Willie Taggart era (2017) Following Helfrich's dismissal, South Florida head coach Willie Taggart was named 33rd head coach of the Oregon Ducks on December 7, 2016. On January 17, 2017 Oregon suspended strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde for one month after 3 players were hospitalized during off-season workouts. On January 23, 2017 ESPN reported that co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach David Reaves would be fired less than one week after officially being hired, following a DUI arrest. On December 5, 2017, Taggart departed after a single season as head coach when he accepted the head coaching position at Florida State. The team finished the season 7–5, losing to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Mario Cristobal era (2018–2021) On December 8, 2017, Mario Cristobal was named the permanent head coach of the Oregon Ducks. On February 20, 2018, it was reported Cristobal made his first staffing decision with the hiring of offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, who will be Oregon's 10th and final full-time assistant coach. Prior to the 2018 season, Oregon had scheduled Texas A&M for a home-and-home series for both 2018 and 2019 seasons but the Aggies backed out of the commitment. Oregon opened the season led by Junior quarterback Justin Herbert, a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate, and the Ducks won their first three games. The Ducks defeated Bowling Green 58–24, Portland State 62–14, and San Jose State 35–22. On September 18, 2018, Oregon was ranked 20th in the AP Top 25 and 19th in the Coaches Poll. Oregon's was defeated by then 7th-ranked Stanford at Autzen on September 22, 2018. Three weeks later, they defeated then number 7 Washington 30–27 in overtime. They finished the regular season at 8–4 and defeated the Michigan State Spartans 7–6 in the Redbox Bowl, finishing the 2018 season at 9–4. The 2019 season began